Rio Ferdinand is on course to ease Manchester United’s growing defensive
worries by returning to Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad for Saturday’s Premier
League trip to Stoke.

The former England captain has been restricted to just two first-team appearances this season because of hamstring and calf injuries, but he has returned to full training this week.

Manchester United manager Ferguson has told staff that he is “hopeful” of being able to select Ferdinand at centre-half at the Britannia Stadium, which would enable him to move Phil Jones to right-back at Stoke in place of Chris Smalling, who faces two weeks out with a groin strain.

With captain Nemanja Vidic still a week away from a return following a calf injury, United could be forced to face Stoke with an inexperienced back four including Jones, Jonny Evans and Fabio da Silva if Ferdinand fails to prove his fitness.

The 32 year-old has combined training with yoga sessions at United’s Carrington training ground this week, however, and is expected to be fit to face Tony Pulis’s team.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old defender Zeki Fryers is targeting further first-team experience after being handed his senior debut in United’s Carling Cup victory at Leeds.